Plus: 3 Bonus Gatlinburg Vacation Tips
The Parkway is the best attraction in Gatlinburg, and strolling this main strip is one of the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains. With some of Gatlinburg’s best restaurants, attractions, and shops located in the city’s heart, the Parkway is a great place to spend an entire day!
Visitors love Gatlinburg for its charm. Nestled into the Smoky Mountains and bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the quaint town is ready to welcome you. Let’s stroll through Gatlinburg and take in the sights:
Shopping on the Parkway in Gatlinburg
You could spend an entire day visiting the shops, galleries, and boutiques along Gatlinburg’s Parkway. From sauces and spirits to clothing and crafts, you never know what you’ll find while shopping in Gatlinburg.
The Village
The Village is a group of 27 businesses sitting right on the Parkway, and it’s one of Gatlinburg’s top spots for shopping. Kids will adore Cartoons & Toys, a toy store with a collection of new and classic toys. Bringing a dog to Gatlinburg? Be sure to visit Bonediggity Barkery & Gifts. Shop for candles, locally made soaps, apparel, and more.
One aspect of The Village we love the most is its old-world charm. The brick paths, fountains, and landscaping make this space feel like a courtyard. Even more so, many of these shops offer imported and specialty items from around the world. Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & The Cheese Cupboard serves delicious food and sells a premium array of cheeses, crackers, and chocolates from Switzerland and Germany. Similarly, Celtic Heritage sells foods, beverages, and items imported from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Spice & Tea Exchange offers gourmet spices, seasoning blends, teas, and accessories.
Gatlinburg Idea #1: Visit The Village to purchase items for a charcuterie picnic! Then, ride the elevator of The Space Needle to enjoy your snacks with breathtaking views.
The Mountain Mall
The Mountain Mall is one of Gatlinburg’s most recognized buildings. This mall has 36 unique shops including The Rhythm Section, a nostalgic store that sells albums, CDs, posters, apparel, and entertainment memorabilia. Take home a meaningful souvenir from Doug Wyatt Guitars. This Asheville native’s hand-made guitars are an example of the talent and craftsmanship of Southern Appalachian artisans. Aunt Mahalia’s Candy is a landmark in The Mountain Mall; visit to buy hand-crafted candies, caramel apples, taffy, and other sweet treats. There are many candy stores in Gatlinburg but Aunt Mahalia’s has been making candies here since 1939!
Plenty of other malls and shops line the Parkway including Ober Mountain Tramway Mall, Baskins Square, and dozens of other independently owned and big name stores. It’s time for some Smoky Mountain retail therapy!
Dining on the Parkway in Gatlinburg
The Parkway in Gatlinburg has some of the best dining options in the Smoky Mountains! You’re sure to work up an appetite as you stroll the Parkway. There are more than 60 restaurants in Gatlinburg, and many of them are right on the Parkway.
Gatlinburg’s Tastiest Traditions
While in The Village, visit The Donut Friar for Gatlinburg’s best donuts. Visit early because they often sell out of the famous donuts, fritters, cinnamon bread, and other baked goods. Also in The Village are Boudicca’s Celtic Pub and Maddi Mae’s Café & Creamery.
As you walk the Parkway, you can’t help but smell the legendary hot dogs, sausages, and cheesesteaks from Fannie Farkle’s. This restaurant and arcade combo is a fun spot for families! Keep walking on the Parkway to find other famous eateries like Pancake Pantry. Guests line up out the door daily as they wait to enter this Gatlinburg breakfast restaurant.
Top Family Friendly Restaurants in Gatlinburg
More favorite Gatlinburg restaurants are Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin, TGI Friday’s, and The Melting Pot, which offers second-story views of the Parkway and The Space Needle. The Melting Pot is one of Gatlinburg’s most distinctive restaurants and gives its guests an interactive and memorable dining experience. What a way to refuel after a day in the Smoky Mountains!
Gatlinburg Idea #2: If your itinerary won’t allow for a full four-course meal at The Melting Pot, step inside for happy hour! Enjoy a pot of cheese fondue with yummy bread, fruit, and veggie dippers. Pair your cheese with a local wine for an extra treat! Or, satisfy your sweet tooth by stopping in for dessert. The Melting Pot is a top spot for date nights and special occasions, but we think just being in Gatlinburg is cause for a celebration! Surprise the family with chocolate fondue and yummy treats to dip with.
Attractions on the Gatlinburg Parkway
The Parkway is an attraction within itself, and some of the best things to do in Gatlinburg are right on this main strip! Ripley’s Gatlinburg Attractions line the Parkway, and the group offers discounted ticket combo packages.
Gatlinburg’s Most Nostalgic Attractions
Gatlinburg visitors have been visiting The Space Needle and Gatlinburg SkyPark for generations. The Space Needle boasts 360-degree views of Gatlinburg and The Smoky Mountains. For even more views, ride Gatlinburg’s longest-running attraction: the famous Gatlinburg Skylift. The lift transports guests to The Gatlinburg SkyPark for stunning views, the new SkyBridge, and so much more. You have to see it to believe it!
Ober Gatlinburg is undergoing renovations and rebranding. Now known as Ober Mountain, this legendary attraction opened over 60 years ago and has been a staple in Gatlinburg vacations for generations. Ober’s Aerial Tramway is a thrill for all ages and takes visitors from the Aerial Tramway Mall on the Parkway to the mountaintop. Once at the top, guests can enjoy ice skating, ice bumper cars, and other indoor activities. Outdoors, enjoy biking, skiing and other seasonal activities.
Mini golf in Gatlinburg is a classic pastime. New attractions like escape games and mountain coasters are wowing a whole new generation of visitors.
Spirits of Gatlinburg
There are many distilleries on the Parkway, and most offer tastings and tours! Ole Smoky Distillery has become an international sensation, and it all started in Gatlinburg! Distillery hopping is a popular thing to do in Gatlinburg – just make sure you’re not driving. The samples are small but it all adds up quickly!
Gatlinburg Idea #3: Sample locally made moonshine to find your favorites, and then take your purchases home for a moonshine tasting with friends and family.
What’s at the end of the Parkway?
The entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is at the end of the Parkway. Walking the Parkway in Gatlinburg will lead you to the best restaurants, shops, and attractions. Driving it leads you straight into the most visited national park in the country! We like to think this is Gatlinburg’s way of saving the best for last.
If you’re visiting Gatlinburg for the first time, we recommend spending your first day walking the Parkway. There’s no better way to get to know Gatlinburg than by hitting the streets. Even if you’re a regular visitor, walking the Gatlinburg Parkway never gets old. It’s time to start planning your Gatlinburg vacation!
Authored in Appalachia || Amy Morton
Comments are closed